Curved, rigid piping system for delivering water and air to the interior portion of a jetted pool or tub

ABSTRACT

The present invention provides a piping system for delivering water and air to the interior portion of a spa, hot tub, whirlpool, or the like and includes a plurality of water/air jet receptacles configured to receive a plurality of water/air jets and a plurality of sections of curved, rigid pipe disposed between and connecting the plurality of water/air jet receptacles, wherein the plurality of water/air jet receptacles and the plurality of sections of curved, rigid pipe are substantially assembled together prior to being installed in the spa, hot tub, whirlpool, or the like.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present non-provisional patent application claims the benefit of priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/602,273, filed on Aug. 17, 2004, and entitled “CURVED, RIGID PIPING SYSTEM FOR DELIVERING WATER AND AIR TO THE INTERIOR PORTION OF A SPA, HOT TUB, WHIRLPOOL, OR THE LIKE,” which is herein incorporated in full by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to a curved, rigid piping system for delivering water and air to the interior portion of a spa, hot tub, whirlpool, or the like. More specifically, the present invention relates to a curved, rigid piping system for delivering water and air to the interior portion of a spa, hot tub, whirlpool, or the like that is fabricated and assembled prior to being installed in the spa, hot tub, whirlpool, or the like. Typically, the curved, rigid piping system is installed within the concrete wall(s) of the body of the spa, hot tub, whirlpool, or the like.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A spa, hot tub, whirlpool, or the like (i.e. a jetted pool or tub) typically includes a piping system of some sort for delivering water and air to the interior portion of the spa, hot tub, whirlpool, or the like in the form of heated, therapeutic bubbles. This piping system typically consists of a plurality of water/air jet receptacles that are connected to one another via a plurality of sections of flexible pipe or hose. Each of the plurality of water/air jet receptacles are configured to receive a water/air jet that, optionally, forms a portion of the piping system itself. The plurality of water/air jet receptacles are also connected to a water inlet and an air inlet via the plurality of sections of flexible pipe or hose. The piping system is typically fabricated and assembled on-site as it is being installed in the spa, hot tub, whirlpool, or the like.

For example, a concrete spa is typically fabricated by first forming a wire mesh frame that defines the shape and contours of the spa. Each of the plurality of water/air jet receptacles is then attached to this wire mesh frame via a plurality of wires, ties, or the like and the plurality of water/air jet receptacles are connected to one another via the plurality of sections of flexible pipe or hose, with appropriate connections being made to the water inlet and the air inlet. Finally, concrete is sprayed or “shot” through and onto the wire mesh frame, surrounding the piping system, with the water/air jet receptacles protruding through the surface of the concrete into the interior portion of the spa. This process is labor intensive and time consuming as the plurality of water/air jet receptacles and the plurality of sections of flexible pipe or hose are prone to deflection during the concrete spraying or “shooting” process.

One conventional solution to this problem is to connect the plurality of water/air jet receptacles to one another on-site via a plurality of sections of straight, rigid pipe, such as polyvinylchloride (PVC) pipe. However, as the spa is typically circular or curved-shaped, this solution increases the overall diameter of the piping system, necessitating the use of additional concrete to surround it. Further, this straight, rigid pipe-solution, like the flexible pipe-solution, is carried out as the piping system is being installed in the spa. Thus, it is also labor intensive and time consuming.

What is needed is a curved, rigid piping system for delivering water and air to the interior portion of a spa, hot tub, whirlpool, or the like that is fabricated and assembled prior to being installed in the spa, hot tub, whirlpool, or the like. Advantageously, such a curved, rigid piping system for delivering water and air to the interior portion of a spa, hot tub, whirlpool, or the like would not deflect during a spraying or “shooting” process, such as that described above, and would be less labor intensive and time consuming to install than conventional piping systems, while minimizing concrete use.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In various embodiments, the present invention provides a curved, rigid piping system for delivering water and air to the interior portion of a spa, hot tub, whirlpool, or the like that is fabricated and assembled prior to being installed in the spa, hot tub, whirlpool, or the like. Advantageously, the curved, rigid piping system for delivering water and air to the interior portion of a spa, hot tub, whirlpool, or the like of the present invention does not deflect during a spraying or “shooting” process, such as that described above, and is less labor intensive and time consuming to install than conventional piping systems, while minimizing concrete use.

In one specific embodiment of the present invention, a piping system for delivering water and air to the interior portion of a jetted pool or tub includes a plurality of water/air jet receptacles configured to receive a plurality of water/air jets and a plurality of sections of curved, rigid pipe disposed between and connecting the plurality of water/air jet receptacles.

In another specific embodiment of the present invention, a method for fabricating and assembling a piping system for delivering water and air to the interior portion of a jetted pool or tub includes providing a plurality of water/air jet receptacles configured to receive a plurality of water/air jets and disposing a plurality of sections of curved, rigid pipe between and connecting the plurality of water/air jet receptacles.

In a further specific embodiment of the present invention, a method for fabricating and assembling a piping system for delivering water and air to the interior portion of a jetted pool or tub includes providing a plurality of water/air jet receptacles configured to receive a plurality of water/air jets and disposing a plurality of sections of curved, rigid pipe between and connecting the plurality of water/air jet receptacles, wherein the plurality of water/air jet receptacles and the plurality of sections of curved, rigid pipe are substantially assembled together prior to being installed in the jetted pool or tub. The method also includes supporting the substantially assembled plurality of water/air jet receptacles and plurality of sections of curved, rigid pipe in a fixed relationship relative to an intended location of a concrete wall forming at least a portion of the body of the jetted pool or tub. The method further includes disposing concrete about the substantially assembled plurality of water/air jet receptacles and plurality of sections of curved, rigid pipe to form the concrete wall.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various embodiments of the present invention are illustrated and described herein with reference to the following drawings, in which like reference numbers denote like system components or method steps, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of one embodiment of a back-level curved, rigid piping system for delivering water and air to the interior portion of a spa, hot tub, whirlpool, or the like;

FIG. 2 is a top perspective view of one embodiment of an ankle-level curved, rigid piping system for delivering water and air to the interior portion of a spa, hot tub, whirlpool, or the like;

FIG. 3 is a side perspective view of one embodiment of a water/air jet receptacle and/or a water/air jet used in conjunction with the curved, rigid piping system for delivering water and air to the interior portion of a spa, hot tub, whirlpool, or the like of FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 4 is a front perspective view of the water/air jet receptacle and/or a water/air jet of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a back perspective view of the water/air jet receptacle and/or a water/air jet of FIGS. 3 and 4; and

FIG. 6 is a top perspective view of one embodiment of a jig for forming a plurality of sections of curved, rigid pipe, such as polyvinylchloride (PVC) pipe, used in conjunction with the curved, rigid piping system for delivering water and air to the interior portion of a spa, hot tub, whirlpool, or the like of FIGS. 1 and 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In various embodiments, the present invention provides a curved, rigid piping system for delivering water and air to the interior portion of a spa, hot tub, whirlpool, or the like that is fabricated and assembled prior to being installed in the spa, hot tub, whirlpool, or the like. Advantageously, the curved, rigid piping system for delivering water and air to the interior portion of a spa, hot tub, whirlpool, or the like of the present invention does not deflect during a spraying or “shooting” process, such as that described above, and is less labor intensive and time consuming to install than conventional piping systems, while minimizing concrete use.

Referring to FIG. 1, in one exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the curved, rigid piping system 10 for delivering water and air to the interior portion of a spa, hot tub, whirlpool, or the like includes a plurality of water/air jet receptacles 12 arranged in a configuration that substantially conforms to the desired shape and contours of the spa, hot tub, whirlpool, or the like that the curved, rigid piping system 10 is to be used with. For example, the plurality of water/air jet receptacles 12 are arranged in a substantially-circular configuration when the curved, rigid piping system 10 is to be used with a substantially-circular spa, hot tub, whirlpool, or the like. A plurality of sections of curved, rigid pipe 14 are disposed between and connect the plurality of water/air jet receptacles 12. Again, the shape of each of the plurality of sections of curved, rigid pipe 14 substantially conforms to the desired shape and contours of the spa, hot tub, whirlpool, or the like that the curved, rigid piping system 10 is to be used with. For example, each of the plurality of sections of curved, rigid pipe 14 has an arcuate shape that forms a portion of a circle when the curved, rigid piping system 10 is to be used with a substantially-circular spa, hot tub, whirlpool, or the like. It will be readily apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that other suitable shapes may be used, as dictated by the specific installation/assembly circumstances.

The overall diameter or dimensions of the curved, rigid piping system 10 is/are also dependent on the desired shape, contours, and size of the spa, hot tub, whirlpool, or the like that the curved, rigid piping system 10 is to be used with. For example, the curved, rigid piping system 10 may be sized to fit a 6-ft., 6½-ft., 7-ft., 7½-ft., or 8-ft. circular spa and may be used in the seat well (at back level with respect to a user) and/or leg well (at ankle level with respect to a user) of the spa. Preferably, the plurality of sections of curved, rigid pipe 14 consist of a plurality of sections of curved, rigid polyvinylchloride (PVC) pipe or the like. Each of the plurality of sections of curved, rigid pipe 14 has a diameter of between about ½ in. and about 3 in., although other suitable dimensions may be used. For example, if a given section of curved, rigid pipe 14 is for delivering water to the plurality of water/air jet receptacles 12 and the interior portion of a spa, hot tub, whirlpool, or the like, it may have a diameter of about 2 in. If a given section of curved, rigid pipe 14 is for delivering air to the plurality of water/air jet receptacles 12 and the interior portion of the spa, hot tub, whirlpool, or the like, it may have a diameter of about 1½ in. In a typical application, six (6) to eight (8) water/air jet receptacles 12 and twelve (12) to sixteen (16) sections of curved, rigid pipe 14 are used at a given level with respect to a user. These numbers may, of course, vary.

FIG. 1 illustrates a typical back-level, curved, rigid piping system set up for a 6 to 8 ft. circular concrete spa 16. Such spas 16 typically include a seat 18 and a step 20 disposed in a seat well 22 defined by a concrete wall 24. The curved, rigid piping system 10 is disposed within this concrete wall 24, with at least a portion of each of the water/air jet receptacles 12 protruding through the concrete wall 24 into, or at least partially exposed to, the interior portion of the spa 16. The concrete wall 24 typically has a thickness of between about 6 in. and about 2½ ft.

FIG. 2 illustrates a typical ankle-level, curved, rigid piping system set up for a 6 to 8 ft. circular concrete spa 16. Such spas 16 typically include a leg well 26 defined by the concrete wall 24. The curved, rigid piping system 10 is again disposed within the concrete wall 24, with at least a portion of each of the water/air jet receptacles 12 protruding through the concrete wall 24 into, or at least partially exposed to, the interior portion of the spa 16. Again, the concrete wall 24 typically has a thickness of between about 6 in. and about 2½ ft.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the curved, rigid piping system 10 also includes a water inlet 28 and an air inlet 30 connected to the plurality of sections of curved, rigid pipe 14 and the plurality of water/air jet receptacles 12. The water inlet 28 is for delivering water to the plurality of water/air jet receptacles 12 via a plurality of sections of curved, rigid pipe 14 intended to carry water (see also 32, FIGS. 4 and 5) and the air inlet 30 is for delivering air to the plurality of water/airjet receptacles 12 via a plurality of sections of curved, rigid pipe 14 intended to carry air (see also 34, FIGS. 4 and 5). Thus, at a given level with respect to a user, the curved, rigid piping system 10 of the present invention consists of two (2) parallel rings, one ring delivering water and one ring delivering air to the plurality of water/air jet receptacles 12. The water is mixed with the air to form heated, therapeutic bubbles by the plurality of water/air jets (not shown) at least partially disposed within and engaged with the plurality of water/air jet receptacles 12.

Referring to FIG. 3, in one exemplary embodiment of the present invention, each of the plurality of water/air jet receptacles 12 includes a water-passage channel 36, an air-passage channel 38, and a water/air jet receiving port 40. The water-passage channel 36 of each of the plurality of water/air jet receptacles 12 sealingly engages one or more of the plurality of curved, rigid pipes 14 (FIGS. 1 and 2) that are intended to carry water (see also 32, FIGS. 4 and 5). The air-passage channel 38 of each of the plurality of water/air jet receptacles 12 sealingly engages one or more of the plurality of curved, rigid pipes 14 (FIGS. 1 and 2) that are intended to carry air (see also 34, FIGS. 4 and 5). The water/air jet receiving port 40 of each of the plurality of water/air jet receptacles 12 engages one of the plurality of water/air jets (not shown) for delivering the heated, therapeutic bubbles to the interior portion of the spa, hot tub, whirlpool, or the like. All components of the curved, rigid piping system 10 (FIGS. 1 and 2) of the present invention are joined together using technique(s) and/or material(s) that are appropriate to the material(s) making up the components that are being joined together. For example, techniques and materials for joining together polyvinylchloride (PVC) components are well known to those of ordinary skill in the art.

Referring to FIG. 6, in one exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a jig assembly 42 for forming each of the plurality of sections of curved, rigid pipe 14 that comprise a portion of the curved, rigid piping system 10 (FIGS. 1 and 2) of the present invention includes a first end assembly 44 for firmly holding a first end 46 of a given one of the plurality of sections of curved, rigid pipe 14 and a second end assembly 48 for firmly holding a second end 50 of the given one of the plurality of sections of curved, rigid pipe 14. A plurality of movable/removable pegs 52 are disposed between the first end assembly 44 and the second end assembly 48 and define the desired shape of the given one of the plurality of sections of curved, rigid pipe 14. During fabrication and assembly, the given one of the plurality of sections of curved, rigid pipe 14 is heated in a tube heater to a temperature of between about 250 degrees F. and about 400 degrees F., or to any other suitable temperature at which the given one of the plurality of sections of curved, rigid pipe 14 becomes pliable and formable without degrading. The given one of the plurality of sections of curved, rigid pipe 14 is then placed in the first end assembly 44 and the second end assembly 48, being formed around the plurality of movable/removable pegs 52, and allowed to cool.

Although the present invention has been illustrated and described with reference to preferred embodiments and specific examples thereof, it should be noted that other embodiments and examples may perform the same functions and/or achieve similar results. All such equivalent embodiments and examples are within the scope and spirit of the present invention and are intended to be covered by the following claims. 

1. A piping system for delivering water and air to the interior portion of a jetted pool or tub, the piping system comprising: a plurality of water/air jet receptacles configured to receive a plurality of water/air jets; and a plurality of sections of curved, rigid pipe disposed between and connecting the plurality of water/air jet receptacles; wherein the plurality of water/air jet receptacles and the plurality of sections of curved, rigid pipe are substantially assembled together prior to being installed in the jetted pool or tub.
 2. The piping system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of sections of curved, rigid pipe comprise a plurality of sections of curved, rigid polyvinylchloride (PVC) pipe.
 3. The piping system of claim 1, further comprising a water inlet connected to at least one of the plurality of sections of curved, rigid pipe.
 4. The piping system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of sections of curved, rigid pipe comprise a plurality of sections of curved, rigid pipe for delivering water to the plurality of water/air jet receptacles.
 5. The piping system of claim 1, further comprising an air inlet connected to at least one of the plurality of sections of curved, rigid pipe.
 6. The piping system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of sections of curved, rigid pipe comprise a plurality of sections of curved, rigid pipe for delivering air to the plurality of water/air jet receptacles.
 7. The piping system of claim 1, wherein the piping system is disposed about the interior portion of the spa, hot tub, whirlpool, or the like at back level with respect to a user of the spa, hot tub, whirlpool, or the like.
 8. The piping system of claim 1, wherein the piping system is disposed about the interior portion of the spa, hot tub, whirlpool, or the like at ankle level with respect to a user of the spa, hot tub, whirlpool, or the like.
 9. A method for fabricating and assembling a piping system for delivering water and air to the interior portion of a jetted pool or tub, the method comprising: providing a plurality of water/air jet receptacles configured to receive a plurality of water/air jets; and disposing a plurality of sections of curved, rigid pipe between and connecting the plurality of water/air jet receptacles; wherein the plurality of water/air jet receptacles and the plurality of sections of curved, rigid pipe are substantially assembled together prior to being installed in the jetted pool or tub.
 10. The method of claim 9, wherein the plurality of sections of curved, rigid pipe comprise a plurality of sections of curved, rigid polyvinylchloride (PVC) pipe.
 11. The method of claim 9, further comprising connecting a water inlet to at least one of the plurality of sections of curved, rigid pipe.
 12. The method of claim 9, wherein the plurality of sections of curved, rigid pipe comprise a plurality of sections of curved, rigid pipe for delivering water to the plurality of water/air jet receptacles.
 13. The method of claim 9, further comprising connecting an air inlet to at least one of the plurality of sections of curved, rigid pipe.
 14. The method of claim 9, wherein the plurality of sections of curved, rigid pipe comprise a plurality of sections of curved, rigid pipe for delivering air to the plurality of water/air jet receptacles.
 15. The method of claim 9, further comprising disposing the piping system about the interior portion of the spa, hot tub, whirlpool, or the like at back level with respect to a user of the spa, hot tub, whirlpool, or the like.
 16. The method of claim 9, further comprising disposing the piping system about the interior portion of the spa, hot tub, whirlpool, or the like at ankle level with respect to a user of the spa, hot tub, whirlpool, or the like.
 17. A method for fabricating and assembling a piping system for delivering water and air to the interior portion of a jetted pool or tub, the method comprising: providing a plurality of water/air jet receptacles configured to receive a plurality of water/air jets; disposing a plurality of sections of curved, rigid pipe between and connecting the plurality of water/air jet receptacles; wherein the plurality of water/air jet receptacles and the plurality of sections of curved, rigid pipe are substantially assembled together prior to being installed in the jetted pool or tub; supporting the substantially assembled plurality of water/air jet receptacles and plurality of sections of curved, rigid pipe in a fixed relationship relative to an intended location of a concrete wall forming at least a portion of the body of the jetted pool or tub; and disposing concrete about the substantially assembled plurality of water/air jet receptacles and plurality of sections of curved, rigid pipe to form the concrete wall. 